How to Keep Up Your Language Studies Over Break

​The semester is coming to an end across the world and students are about to begin their summer vacations.

Do you have a plan to keep up with your language studies over your break?

Do you have any trips planned or will you be staycationing?

The best thing you can do over the break is take the free time you have and learn another language. Even if you're not a student, take the change in seasons to start your language learning journey.

The cognitive benefits of learning another language alone should make you want to start learning.  

Recently, it's been found that people who learn a second language, even in adulthood, can better avoid cognitive decline in old age. 

​The best news is that the "dementia-delaying effects of learning a second language are not contingent on becoming fluent; it just matters that a person tries to learn it." - Cody C. Delistraty ​

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​Get that money, honey!

If that doesn't interest you, how about making more money? Being bilinguial, trilingual, or a polyglot can earn you more money, land you the job, or give you that perfect side hustle to earn extra cash when you need it.

Being able to communicate across cultures in different languages is invaluable.

Having a skill such as fluency in a second language will always come in handy.

​You can freelance, translate, and even teach online. 

Here are the 7 best ways you can keep up with your German studies this summer:

1.) Take a free German Language Placement Test to figure out your proficiency level at the beginning of the summer. You can take this again at the end of the summer and will be able to see how you've improved. It's a great way to see your progress!

2.) Download DuoLingo & Memrise, play games, and learn new vocab. on your phone in your downtime.

3.) Watch Netflix shows and movies in German! You know you're gonna want to chill and watch something at some point, why not watch it in German? Put the English subtitles on in case you need it.

Here's how to find shows in German on Netflix:

• Log in to your Netflix account.
• Click on Browse > Subtitles and Captions.
• Select the “German” option under the Subtitles.
  
  

This reveals all of the movies and shows offered with German subtitles or voice overs. Keep in mind that some of these offerings are made for German speakers, while others use German voice overs for the English dialogue. I personally love hearing the German actors do voice over on shows like the O.C. and Friends. 

4.) Listen to German podcasts to practice your listening skills. There are podcasts available on iTunes about every single topic. Search for a topic that you're interested in auf Deutsch in iTunes and choose one of the podcasts to listen. See how much you can understand. You can always try something like Coffee Break German or Slow German if you'd like to hear something more structured.  

5.) Make a weekly date to Skype a German speaking friend once per week, every week. If you don't have a friend who speaks German yet, go to a meetup in your city! There are meetups happening all over the world where you can connect with other language learners.

6.) Instagram auf Deutsch once per week. Interact with people in German by commenting on their photos and Insta stories, strike up a conversation, and practice your language skills while you're at it. If you don't know who to write to, schreib mit mir! 

7.) If you really want to get fluent fast, sign up for one-on-one lessons over Skype with Nikki. We'll work together to develop the skills you need,

What language do you want to master this summer?